Carlingford Oyster Festival has announced the 14 finalists contending in the Morgan Fine Fish Oyster Pearl competition 9th – 12th August 2012. Over 26 lovely girls entered the competition and the word on the street is that the selection process was not easy.

Camlough lady Niamh Kearney is one of the chosen 'Pearl Girls' for event

Carlingford Oyster Festival is looking forward to a lively weekend of fun for all the family with free bouncing castles, street magic, festival funfair, live music and colourful street markets. Local eateries will be offering festival fish dishes including the area’s new signature dish created by RTE’s Surf n Turf chef Martin Shanaghan …. and of course the fresh Carlingford Oysters..!
The 14 chosen ‘Pearl Girls’ will be amidst the fun and participating within the festival activities, creating a buzz as they go and dressing to impress right up to the finale night in the Four Seasons Hotel when the Morgan’s Fine Fish Carlingford Oyster Pearl 2012 will be crowned, receiving €1000 cash, 1 years membership in the Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford and a beautiful pearl necklace sponsored by Campbell Jeweller’s, Dundalk.
One of the selected girls was local student Niamh Kearney from Camlough, who will be representing the Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry. “We are delighted that ‘our girl’ got through and are looking forward to participating in the fun and activities during the festival” said Peter Murray, Manager of Buttercrane Shopping Centre.
Although the core guideline to the competitors is ‘Be yourself, get to know each other and have fun’ – every €1000 has to be earned…someway.
Therefore there are a few tasks set out for the Pearl Girls beginning with an interview by Big O at the opening of the festival on Thursday night in The Carlingford Arms. If a girl can get a word in there they’re off to a good start!
An Oyster Festival needs to have the best of oysters and the pearls will be expected to do their bit to feed the thousands that will descend on the village over the weekend. So the girls will be getting down and dirty at Carlingford Oyster Company’s farm on Friday afternoon before scrubbing up to strut their stuff at the festival Fashion Show at the Four Seasons Hotel that evening.
Saturday will see the big boots and bling come out with the girls heading out to play in the muck with the kiddies at the Welly Oyster Pearl Hunt. The next assignment will offer an opportunity for the ladies to be creative as they glamour up a fluffy four legged friend for the best ‘wool’ design tutored by one of Ireland’s award winning sheep shearers.
The pearls will be storytelling and face painting at the Teddy Bears picnic on Sunday afternoon but the ‘Biggie’ will be at the Oyster Eating competition where the genuine pearls will be separated from the fake ones for sure! Spitting is deemed ‘un-lovely-lady-like’ so therefore any of this may mean disqualification.
And don’t miss the annual Oyster Opening competition on Sunday night where the local chefs and oyster farmers will be out with their knives competing for the title. This will be followed by the official Crowning of the Morgan’s Fine Fish Carlingford Oyster Pearl 2012! Plenty of Kleenex will be present as high scores will go to the girl who uses the least amount to remove her make up to discover the hidden pearl. The place will alive with music from The Long Riders and a light supper will be served.
Tickets (€10) available from various outlets in Carlingford.

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